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The Blue Challenge

A unique programme that equips youth across Europe with concrete business skills while inspiring innovation in the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.

The Blue Challenge is an entrepreneurship education programme, launched by Euronext in partnership with JA Worldwide the largest non-profit organisation in Europe dedicated to preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship.  The programme aims to inspire students aged 16 to 18 about sustainable finance and help them develop core competencies such as teamwork, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills.

The Euronext Blue Challenge is the flagship initiative of Our Society, one of five material impact areas within our ESG strategy. Through this collaboration, we aim at contributing to financial literacy and encourage innovation to limit climate change and to promote the blue economy amongst young entrepreneurs in ten countries.

In the course of the academic year, over 250 students from Belgium, Denmark, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom will be able to learn about sustainable finance while working on their own business projects supported by mentoring and webinars from Euronext volunteers. After national selections in April, country finalists will compete for the Euronext “Blue Innovation Award”.

Blue Innovation Award

The Blue Innovation Award is given to the mini-company that best embodies a sustainable use of the ocean resources for economic growth, following the selection of one mini-company from each participating country, to compete at a European level. Over the course of the school year, participating students, aged 16 to 18, have created impressive mini companies, with viable projects that embrace the Blue Economy and climate change mitigation. The 9 national winning teams, selected from 250+ students in 9 countries mentored by 60+ Euronext volunteers, took part in the European final on 15 May 2024. Meet here the finalists of the Blue Innovation Award 2024.

 

Belgium

ESG water
 

Denmark

ESG Water Blue Challenge
 

France

Ocean ESG Water Bue
 

Ireland

waves water ocean ESG
 

Italy

ESG Blue Ocean Wave
 

Norway

water blue ESG
 

Portugal

ESG Water Waves Ocean Blue
 

United Kingdom

Blue ESG
 

Netherlands

Hero ESG Sustainability

Pungdom UB from Norway wins the Blue Innovation Award 2024

The Norwegian team Pungdom UB, has taken home the prize after a fierce competition with eight other teams selected for the European final.

The team came up with visionary project of building filters for Europe’s coastal waters with sea squirts and other sea restoration habitats stood out among an impressive pool of entries from across Europe. Their dedication and innovative spirit exemplify the essence of the Blue Challenge, inspiring us all to strive for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Gratulerer, team Pungdom UB!

English
Webinar ESG Financial Literacy

Webinars

Over the academic year, themed e-mentoring and webinars are provided by Euronext volunteers in two key areas:

  • Climate change and the Blue Economy: All participating countries are adjacent to the ocean, and it is vital to protect the resource base on which economic activities depend. Euronext’s goal is to be a leader in advancing the Blue Economy to address the threats to the oceans and contribute to enhanced coastal resilience. 
  • Financial literacy: As a market infrastructure, Euronext is at the centre of financial markets and communities. Improving the financial knowledge and skills of young Europeans will impact the broader community of stakeholders at the local level, including businesses, teachers, parents and the wider school community.
Stéphane Boujnah
The programme is unique in equipping youth across Europe with concrete business skills while inspiring innovation in the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth. It allows the participating students to take advantage of the mentorship from Euronext volunteers, benefitting from their mentors’ real-life experiences as they build their ideas. I am sure that it helps each of these students, as individuals, to reflect personally on their next steps, on how to combine motivation and drive to create something with a larger purpose that can be beneficial for society and, hopefully, the planet as a whole.
  • Stéphane Boujnah
  • CEO and Chairman of the Managing Board of Euronext N.V.
Salvatore Nigro
The blue economy is key to the global efforts of climate change mitigation and developing sustainable future business models. Together with Euronext, we want to inspire the next generation of Europeans to embrace the opportunities of the blue economy while ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary financial literacy skills to develop viable businesses.
  • Salvatore Nigro
  • CEO JA Europe
Blue Challenge winners Bell and Gong

Bell and Gong ceremonies with the country winners of the Blue Innovation Award

Euronext ESG strategy

ESG | Empowering Sustainable Growth

The world is facing pressing challenges to ensure a sustainable future for our planet. The finance sector is a vital contributor to the global sustainability agenda. It can empower sustainable finance, by incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment decision-making. It can also support the allocation of capital to sustainable initiatives.

Euronext has a special position in the financial ecosystem. It serves the real economy by bringing together buyers and sellers in transparent, efficient and reliable trading venues. In this key role, Euronext has a responsibility to the whole finance community, not only to ensure financial stability, but to contribute decisively to a sustainable growth model in the countries in which it operates.

More about our ESG strat…

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